Interfolding machine

ABSTRACT

An interfolding machine for interfolding webs to form facial tissues whereby these may be placed in a slotted container, with the top or first leaf projecting out therefrom and thus the tissues can be withdrawn one-by-one, with the first leaf of the next tissue projecting in position for grasping. The machine receives webs in overlapped relation so as to be disposed transversely of an assembly of folding plates arranged in staggered relation and converging so as to direct the interfolded webs to a pair of pull rolls. Each folding plate has a V-shaped guide at the receiving end thereof over which the web extends and a pair of diverging fingers in positions to cause the web to be folded around opposite sides of the plate as it travels lengthwise thereof. The series of webs are brought together near the inner ends of the folding plates and are directed by one or more pairs of pull rolls. The bundle of webs traveling therefrom may be combined with additional bundles so as to form a desired number for assembly in a package when these bundles of webs are severed into appropriate lengths of tissues.

ilite States tet [191 Marcalus et a1.

[ Nov. 26, 1974 1 INTERFOLDHNG MACHINE [73] Assignee: Marcal Paper Mills, Inc, Elmwood Park, NJ.

22 Filed: Apr. 17, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 351,854

2,238,356 4/1941 Williams 270/52 2,486,091 10/1949 Adams et al. l56;93/200;84 R X 2,589,792 3/1952 Frank et a1 93/84 R X 2,642,279 6/1963 Teall 270/40 3,038,718 6/1962 Balsam 270/40 3,066,932 12/1962 Greiner et a1... 270/86 X 3,291,479 12/1966 Greiner et al 270/40 3,291,678 12/1966 Enlog et a1 93/84 R X Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis [57] ABSTRACT An interfolding machine for interfolding webs to form facial tissues whereby these may be placed in a slotted container, with the top or first leaf projecting out therefrom and thus the tissues can be withdrawn oneby-one, with the first leaf of the next tissue projecting in position for grasping. The machine receives webs in overlapped relation so as to be disposed transversely of an assembly of folding plates arranged in staggered relation and converging so as to direct the interfolded webs to a pair of pull rolls. Each folding plate has a V-shaped guide at the receiving end thereof over which the web extends and a pair of diverging fingers in positions to cause the web to be folded around opposite sides of the plate as it travels lengthwise thereof. The series of webs are brought together near the inner ends of the folding plates and are directed by one or more pairs of pull rolls. The bundle of webs traveling therefrom may be combined with additional bundles so as to form a desired number for assembly in a package when these bundles of webs are severed into appropriate lengths of tissues.

15 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PAH-INTEL HUVZB I974 SHEET 5 OF 5 new ' 1 INTERFOLDING MACHINE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in interfolding machines adapted to receive aseries of webs of paper and to fold these alternately in opposite directions to form a bundle of webs which can be subsequently severed into appropriate lengths for facial tissues or other sanitary paper products. v

The-invention provides for the making of packages of loosely interleaved sheets adapted to,be placed in a slotted container, with the top or first leaf projecting out therefrom so that by pulling on the projecting leaf, it will operate to draw out the first sheet and at the same time cause the first leaf of the second sheet to project in the slot so as to be available for withdrawing action. This can be continued until the paper is Withdrawn sheet by sheet.

Machines have been proposed heretofore for the, interfolding of sheets or webs, but these have had limitations in service, have required large amounts of floor space where progressive interfolding is involved, have been expensive to build, and because of their complexity, have had objections as to speed of operation and many other deficiencies.

One object of this invention is to simplify and im- 2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section vtherethrough on the j parts omitted for clarity of line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and with illustration;

prove machines for interfolding of webs of paper which i can be used to form facial tissues and other paper products. j I

Another object'of the invention is to provide for the interfolding of a large number of webs at one central point so'as to conserve floor space in a manufacturing plant and in a simple and inexpensive construction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the interfolding of webs so as to form a stacked bundle of sheets, in a fast operation and by utilizing asubstantial number of webs interfolded at one point. The desired number of interfolded sheets for a bundle may be made on few machines with a minimum of floor space in the manufacturing plant.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing an assembly of folding plates extending generally in con verging relation, radiating from a central point.'The alternate plates are in staggered relation and somewhat offset from each other. At the entrance end of each plate is a generally V-shaped guide member for directing the web over the edge of the plate and a pair of diverging fingers extend on opposite sides of the plate so as to direct the web in a folded relation about the opposite sides. The relation of the adjacent folding plates is such that an edge portion of one web will be directed under the'adjacent edge portion of the next adjacent web whereby as these are drawn over the inner ends of the folding plates, they are in interfolded relation.

The machine can accommodate a substantial number FIG. 3 is aidiagrammatic cross section through-a packageillustrating the int'erfoldedsheets;

FIG. .4 is a detail side elevation of the drive for the FIG. 5 is a partial transverse section through the in-' terfolding machine, showing the assembly of folding plates and fingers, as well as the guides therefor;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the machine illustrating the snub rolls for guiding the webs, with parts omitted forclarity of illustration;

. FIG. 7 is a similar view, illustrating the assembly of the folding plates and their V-shaped guides, as well as the folding fingers;

FIG. 8 is a detail cross section through the machine, showing one of the folding plates,'fingers and guide means;

FIG. 9 is a similar view, showing the next alternate folding plate, fingers and guide means;

FIG.,l0-is an enlarged partial plan view, taken s ubsta'ntIaIIy on-the line l0l0'in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the overlap ping paper webs as they pass into the machine, taken "substantially on the line 11-11 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a similar view of the w'ebs as they are initially in folded relation,taken on the line l2l2 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a similar view, showing the webs partially folded around the alternate folding plates, substantially stantially on the line,l4-l4 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 15 is a similar view in still another folded relation ofth'e web, substantially on the line 15I5 in FIG.

s. j Y

DETAILED DESCRIPTION or DISCLOSURE This embodiment of the invention is adapted for accommodating a considerable number of webs of paper to form interfolded sheets such, for example, as sheets of facial tissues to be packaged in a suitable container and to be withdrawn one by one.When thus interfolded and packaged, the upper leaf of the top sheet will project out through a slot in the container. This relation is illustrated in FIG..3 where the container'is illustrated at C and has a slotted opening 0 in the cover thereof.

"- A stack of sheets S is packaged in the container C.

of webs of the order of twenty-five, and as all of these are interfolded, they form a long bundle of webs which are directed through one or more sets of pull rods thence out of the machine. Such a bundle can either. be

severed into desired lengths for facial tissues or other These are interfolded so that the 'upper leaf L of the uppermost sheet will project through the opening 0 while the lower leaf of the uppermost sheet lies beneath the upper leaf of the next adjacent sheet. Thus, when the top sheet is pulled out, the upper leaf of the next sheet will be drawn through the opening in projected relation substantially in the same position, but on the alternate side of the opening, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This action will continue until all of the sheets have been withdrawn from the package. Packages of interfolding pull rolls, taken substantially on the line 44 in FIG.

sheets of this character are known and have been produced heretofore.

The improved machine for interfolding the webs from which the sheets may be formed includes a stand, generally indicated by the numeral 1, having a base 2 for secure mounting upon the floor or support for the machine. The stand 1 includes upright side plates 3 spaced apart transversely and having a platform 4 secured therebetween. The stand 1 is provided with a central opening 5 in one or both of the side plates 3 for visual inspection of the interfolding of the sheets and to facilitate the feeding of the sheets through the machine.

Mounted upon the platform 4 is a pull stand, generally indicated at 6, which is located centrally of the opening 5. The pull stand 6 comprises a frame assembly 7 which is secured upon the platform 4 and extends upwardly therefrom. A pair of top pull rolls 8 is mounted in the upper end of the frame 7, having the bite between the rolls in an upright direction so as to receive therein the long bundle of webs and to direct the bundle downwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

A second pair of pull rolls is indicated at 9, also mounted in the frame 7, with the bite therebetween in a horizontal direction. Thus, the long bundle of interwoven webs, indicated at B in FIG. 1, extends downwardly from the bite of the rolls 8 and horizontally between the rolls 9, to be directed out of the machine.

The rolls 8 and 9 are driven by any suitable drive means, such as an endless sprocket chain 10 (FIGS. 2 and 4), operatively connected with the shafts of the rolls 8 and 9 and driven from a drive shaft 11 suitably journaled in the side plates 3. Any suitable or desired motive power may be connected with the drive shaft I1, such as an electric motor, for example.

I have shown an endless conveyor belt 12 extending horizontally between the side plates 3 over guide rolls 13. This conveyor 12 may be used to convey the bundle of webs out of the machine and to successive machines when several bundles of webs are to be combined to make up the desired quantity of tissues for assembly in containers. Several such machines may be used in alignment and each would provide for the interfolding of twenty-five webs, as an example, whereby four such machines would have a combined thickness of one hundred sheets. suitable for containing in a package, as illustrated in FIG. 3. These four machines will occupy a minimum of factory space.

The paper webs are illustrated in FIG. 1 at W, each being drawn from a spool of paper of desired character to form the facial tissues in this instance or other type of interwoven papers when the interfolding is completed and these are severed to the desired lengths. The webs W are fed into the machine in staggered relation, with one web overlapping the adjacent edges of two webs offset therefrom, as indicated generally in FIG. 1.

The interfolding means comprises an assembly of folding plates. generally indicated at 14, each of which is in the form ofa flat plate extending generally radially outward from a point spaced from the bite of the pull rolls 8, as will be apparent from FIG. 1. Each of the folding plates 14 is securely mounted at 15 on a plate support 16 extending laterally therefrom to the adjacent side plate 3. The plate support 16 is in the form of a rod in this embodiment of the invention, with the plate 14 fixed to one end thereof and the opposite end being adjustably mounted in the side plate 3 by the adjusting means generally indicated at 17. A threaded end of the rod 16 receives nuts for clamping the end portion in an adjusted position with respect to the side plate 3.

Each of the folding plates 14 has an upwardly projecting end portion 18, the upper or outer end of which is inclined and has mounted thereon a guide member 19. In this embodiment of the invention, each guide member 19 is V-shaped, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and 10, and is shaped from a flat plate, with the apex thereof welded or otherwise secured upon the inclined portion of the upper end 18 of the folding plate.

The guide 19 is mounted adjacent to a snub roll 20 mounted on a support 21 extending laterally from the adjacent side plate 3, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

A pair of folding fingers are indicated at 22 extending downwardly in diverging relation, embracing the upper end portion of each folding plate 14, as will be apparent from FIGS. 5, 8 and 9. Each pair of fingers 22 may be formed as the end portions of a rod, the center part of which is indicated at 23 mounted in an end of a finger support 24 and clamped thereto by a clamping screw 25. The finger support 24 extends laterally to the adjacent side plate 3 where it is adjustably secured, as indicated at 26.

OPERATION Each web W is fed into the machine over one of the snub rolls 20. As will be apparent in FIG. 10, each of the snub rolls 20 has one of the folding plates 14 midway of the length thereof and also midway of one of the V-shaped folding members 19. This staggered relation of the webs and of the snub rolls 20 will cause each web to be so located that the folding edge thereof will lie midway between opposite edges of the web.

The folding edge of each plate 14 is the edge thereof over which the paper web is folded, as indicated at 27 in FIGS. 8 and 9. The mounting of the folding plates 14 is such that the upper end portions thereof are substantially side-by-side so as to be tangent to planes spaced apart axially of the machine but extending normal to the axis. This is the relation illustrated in FIG. 13.

The folding plates 14 are so mounted, however, that the lower end portions of next successive plates diverge somewhat, as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and also in FIG. 14.

The paper webs W enter the machine in substantially flat staggered relation, as indicated in FIG. 11. Initially, the folding action is started as these webs pass over the fold members 19, as shown in FIG. 12. This action is continued as the webs W are drawn downward through the machine lengthwise of the fold plates 14, as indicated in FIG. 13. It will be apparent that the lateral edges of one web overlap the adjacent edges of the next two adjacent webs as these respectively are folded around the fold edges 27 of alternate folding plates. The downward converging relation of these plates, as well as the further diverging in the direction of their width, will cause these edge portions of the webs to be brought closer and closer together, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, until they are nearly in flat relation when they pass over the inner ends of the folding plates and travel toward the bite of the pull rolls 8. The folded webs are thus brought together in a bundle in the bite of the pull rolls 8, this bundle being indicated at B in FIG. 1, and then traveling horizontally from the machine. lt may be combined with another or other bundles of webs if greater thickness is desired and separated into required lengths according to the usage of the tissues.

The folding fingers 22 that straddle the fold edge of each folding plate 14 adjacent the upper end of the folding plate causes the web to be turned over the fold edge thereof and downward in interfolded relation with adjacent webs. These fingers 22 preferably extend diagonally of the width of the respective folding plates 14 and at substantial angles, such as right angles, to the plane of the V-guides 19. Thus, the initial shaping of the folds by the V-guides 19, as shown in FIG. 12, will be further extended as the webs travel under the folding fingers 22 substantially in the relation shown in FIG. 13.

The inner ends of the folding plates 14 are spaced from the bite of the pull rolls 8 a distance sufficient for access to the interfolded webs through an opening 5. This may be needed in the event that one or more of the webs should be broken, causing a jamming of the paper in the machine.

The degree of overlap of the webs may be varied by adjusting the angular positions of the alternate folding plates 14. This will vary the degree of divergence of the alternate plates transversely of each other and thus contract or spread apart the degree of overlapping of the edge portions of the webs.

The assembly is simple in construction and will accomplish an interfolding of a substantial number of webs as, for example, twenty-five. This action requires very little factory floor space and it is inexpensive to build and to operate. The simplicity of construction also enables the machine to operate efficiently to provide interfolded webs of tissue paper or other material that may be cut into desired lengths for packaging.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment. it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as claimed.

1 claim:

I. A machine for interfolding webs of material comprising a plurality of elongated folding plates extending in side-by-side converging relation. each of alternate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at one side of the plurality of plates and each of the alternate intermediate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at the opposite side of the plurality of plates. means for feeding webs of material to receiving end portions of the folding plates and extending along the folding edge of each of the folding plates. and folding fingers extending transversely of each of the plates adjacent the receiving end portions thereof for folding the opposite edge portions of the web thereover in overlapping relation with the lateral edges of adjacent webs.

2. A machine for interfolding webs of material, according to claim I, wherein the fingers are disposed at acute angles to the length of the folding plates.

3. A machine for interfolding webs of material. according to claim I, wherein the fingers extend in diverging-relation with respect to each of the plates.

4. A machine for interfolding webs of material. according to claim 2, including means for adjustably mounting the fingers at different angular positions with respect to the length of the plates.

5. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, comprising a plurality of elongated fiat folding plates extending in side-by-side spaced converging relation, each of alternate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at one side of the plurality of plates for receiving a web of paper at one end portion thereof, and each of the alternate intermediate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at the opposite side of the plurality of plates, means for feeding a web of material to each of the folding edges at the receiving end portion thereof for folding the opposite edge portions of the web thereon in overlapping relation with the lateral edges of adjacent webs.

6. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, according to claim 5, including means mounting the folding plates with the folding edges on one side diverging with respect to the folding edges on the opposite side.

7. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, according to claim 5, wherein each of the folding plates has a V-shape guide extending transversely of the leading end thereof to form an initial fold in the paper web extending thereover.

8. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, including means pivotally mounting each of the plates at one end thereof and adjacent a lateral edge for swinging movement Of the plate transversely with respect to alternate plates to vary the degree of overlap of the webs.

9. A machine for interfolding webs according to claim 8, including a V-shaped guide member mounted on said one end of each of the plates disposed transverselythereof and at an acute angle to the length of the plate.

10. A machine for interfolding webs of paper accord ing to claim 5, including snub rolls mounted substantially in longitudinal alignment with the respective folding plates in positions to guide the webs of paper thereto.

11. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, and support members extending transversely of the direction of the length of the folding plates at opposite sides of the plurality of plates and toward the edge of each plate opposite from the folding edge thereof, the support members having the plates mounted on the inner ends of the respective support members.

12. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, including mounting means for the folding fingers, the folding fingers extending inwardly from the mounting means in embracing relation with the folding edge of each folding plate and in directions at acute angles to the length of the plate. 7

13. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, comprising a supporting frame structure, a pair of pull rolls mounted in the frame and having a bite in position to receive a bundle of webs therein, a plurality of elongated folding plates extending in side-by-side spaced converging relation substantially radially with respect to the bite of the pull rolls, means mounting the folding plates in the frame structure with outer ends spaced from the pull rolls and inner ends adjacent the pull rolls. an approximately V-shaped guide extending transversely of the outer end of each folding plate. and means for directing a web centrally over the V-shaped guide and over an edge of each folding plate, said V- shaped guide being adjacent opposite edges of alternate folding plates and directing the webs in folded relation thereover and interfolded with adjacent webs.

14. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, according to claim 13, wherein the V-shaped guide 15. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, according to claim 13, including fingers extending transversely of each folding plate in directions inwardly over the folding edge and at acute angles to the direcis located adjacent the folding edge of each plate in lontion of the length thereof.

gitudinal alignment with said edge.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION P t n No- I 3.850.425 Dated November 26 197A Inventor) 7 Nicholas Marcalus et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the c over sheet [75] "Jesse B. Snaw" should read Jesse B. S'maw Signed-arid sealed this 14th day of January 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

'mcoy M. '7 GIBSON 'JR. mumsmu. 1mm Attesting Officer" Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 uscoMM-Dc scan-ps9 I US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 

1. A machine for interfolding webs of material comprising a plurality of elongated folding plates extending in side-by-side converging relation, each of alternate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at one side of the plurality of plates and each of the alternate intermediate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at the opposite side of the plurality of plates, means for feeding webs of material to receiving end portions of the folding plates and extending along the folding edge of each of the folding plates, and folding fingers extending transversely of each of the plates adjacent the receiving end portions thereof for folding the opposite edge portions of the web thereover in overlapping relation with the lateral edges of adjacent webs.
 2. A machine for interfolding webs of material, according to claim 1, wherein the fingers are disposed at acute angles to the length of the folding plates.
 3. A machine for interfolding webs of material, according to claim 1, wherein the fingers extend in diverging relation with respect to each of the plates.
 4. A machine for interfolding webs of material, according to claim 2, including means for adjustably mounting the fingers at different angular positions with respect to the length of the plates.
 5. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, comprising a plurality of elongated flat folding plates extending in side-by-side spaced converging relation, each of alternate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at one side of the plurality of plates for receiving a web of paper at one end portion thereof, and each of the alternate intermediate plates having a folding edge extending longitudinally thereof at the opposite side of the plurality of plates, means for feeding a web of material to each of the folding edges at the receiving end portion thereof for folding the opposite edge portions of the web thereon in overlapping relation with the lateral edges of adjacent webs.
 6. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, according to claim 5, including means mounting the folding plates with the folding edges on one side diverging with respect to the folding edges on the opposite side.
 7. A machine for interfolding webs of paper, according to claim 5, wherein each of the folding plates has a V-shape guide extending transversely of the leading end thereof to form an initial fold in the paper web extending thereover.
 8. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, including means pivotally mounting each of the plates at one end thereof and adjacent a lateral edge for swinging movement of the plate transversely with respect to alternate plates tO vary the degree of overlap of the webs.
 9. A machine for interfolding webs according to claim 8, including a V-shaped guide member mounted on said one end of each of the plates disposed transversely thereof and at an acute angle to the length of the plate.
 10. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, including snub rolls mounted substantially in longitudinal alignment with the respective folding plates in positions to guide the webs of paper thereto.
 11. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, and support members extending transversely of the direction of the length of the folding plates at opposite sides of the plurality of plates and toward the edge of each plate opposite from the folding edge thereof, the support members having the plates mounted on the inner ends of the respective support members.
 12. A machine for interfolding webs of paper according to claim 5, including mounting means for the folding fingers, the folding fingers extending inwardly from the mounting means in embracing relation with the folding edge of each folding plate and in directions at acute angles to the length of the plate.
 13. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, comprising a supporting frame structure, a pair of pull rolls mounted in the frame and having a bite in position to receive a bundle of webs therein, a plurality of elongated folding plates extending in side-by-side spaced converging relation substantially radially with respect to the bite of the pull rolls, means mounting the folding plates in the frame structure with outer ends spaced from the pull rolls and inner ends adjacent the pull rolls, an approximately V-shaped guide extending transversely of the outer end of each folding plate, and means for directing a web centrally over the V-shaped guide and over an edge of each folding plate, said V-shaped guide being adjacent opposite edges of alternate folding plates and directing the webs in folded relation thereover and interfolded with adjacent webs.
 14. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, according to claim 13, wherein the V-shaped guide is located adjacent the folding edge of each plate in longitudinal alignment with said edge.
 15. A machine for interfolding separate webs of paper, according to claim 13, including fingers extending transversely of each folding plate in directions inwardly over the folding edge and at acute angles to the direction of the length thereof. 